Buffalo State is a community of people who care about and care for each other. We care about your success as a student and your growth as an individual. We expect you to feel safe in the presence of others, respected for who you are and who you wish to become, and free to express your views and opinions. We also expect that you, alone or in a group, will not create conditions in which academic failure or personal harm, injury or even death might result. We want you to look out for yourself, your friends and your companions, making sure you stay out of harm’s way. And, if someone’s health or safety is at risk, we expect you will call for help.

We have these expectations because Buffalo State is a community that cares. Our commitment to safety includes a commitment to prevent alcohol abuse and to respond forcefully to incidents of sexual violence, intimate partner violence (dating or domestic violence), stalking and sexual harassment. At Buffalo State, these acts of violence are unacceptable and must not be tolerated by anyone in our campus community.

You are about to begin an online educational course that could make a real difference in your life. AlcoholEdu will empower you to make well-informed decisions about alcohol and will help you better cope with the drinking behavior of your peers. Sexual Assault Prevention addresses many of the assumptions and stereotypes associated with sexual assault, rape, stalking, and harassment. It also will help you understand the meaning of consent, how to help a friend, and how to intervene in a situation that might escalate to a sexual assault. AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention will inform you about campus programs and resources where you can get more information, find support, or get involved in our other prevention efforts.

Unfortunately, many times people stand by when acts of violence occur. Instead, we call upon our students to “Do Your Part” for Buffalo State. “Do Your Part” is our call to action whenever you see a potential for harm. We don’t accept alcohol abuse or sexual violence as something to put up with, but not change. That is why we selected AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention as courses which all new students must complete to help all of our students better understand how to act as a responsible member of a caring community.

As you complete these courses, remember that we need you to help create the kind of caring community we wish for ourselves. We need your help in keeping our campus safe. Let us know if you have concerns about what other students and student groups might be doing. Partner with your friends when going to unfamiliar places. Talk with each other about how to stay safe, whatever you do. Take care of yourself and care for the well-being of others. If you do these things, you will help create a truly caring campus community.

Thank you for participating in this endeavor to improve our campus community. I invite you to let us know your suggestions by contacting Buffalo State’s AlcoholEdu Team at: alcoholedu@buffalostate.edu. We welcome your help in making sure all our students have a safe and successful academic experience.